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Ashwell-Wells-next-the-Sea 123m, Fri 4 Sept 2015, 8am
Ow do
Take Friday 4th September off and man-up/woman-up for the end of summer Ashwell to Wells-Next-The-Sea CC Ashwell Classic ride to the Norfolk coast. In my opinion, the best* annual point-to-point Classic the Club does. There's something rewarding about cycling to the coast.
Well be starting from the Three Tuns at 8:00am to navigate the almost pan flat lanes to pretty WNTS. We will be going at all-inclusive pace. Its a great way to bookend whatever season youve had with a big club ride.
From Wells, as before, its a 20 mile tootle to Kings Lynn station for the train back after fish and chips overlooking the harbour. Id estimate getting back to Ashwell environs 7pm ish. Without puncture delays.
If 123 miles total seems a lot to you, ask those that have done it before, because the lack of climbing really makes a difference in the effort. Also, the more who come along, the bigger the draft so all aboard! Remember too, the route takes us past the nearby stations back, so if you only want to come as far as Ely or Downham Market happy days. Some have done it having only ridden 60-something miles before in one ride. A few years ago, Bob did it just fine.
Having said all that, I just need to underline that everyone is responsible for their own selves on this ride. I recommend thicker tyres, something to pick flints out of tyres. Bring cash. And we should pack at least one spare tyre for the group. In the deepest parts of Norfolk, theres not an awful lot of bike shop actionne.
The route keeps us off the busy roads, barring a tiny part of the orribl A10 where caution is required. Highlights include, Ely, Flandersesque Ten-Mile-Bank, watching the tornados taking off at RAF Marham and going through Holkham Estate to the bemusement of the National Trust punters.
Lowlights include the food stop at Narborough. A little town trapped in time like some episode of Sapphire & Steel. You will need to bring your own butties and jelly babies as theres nowt much more than a bench and bus stop there. Im happy to help out continue the tradition of the Belgian beer and Crumps sausage roll fest.
The weather might play its part. If the forecast is shocking, we will have to think about cancellation.
A few top of head thoughts;
Please check your tyres and bike condition.
If theres a puncture, please all use the time to check your tyres for flints.
Keep it super tidy on the A1198 up Arrington hill. And A10, of course.
No stopping unless we are all agreed/aware we are stopping.
Only strong and confident riders at the very back and front please.
Id avoid too many chips. They can be like lead weights. Fish and peas is best.
The Fenman pub is nice enough at Kings Lynn for a refreshment. Theres also a big Morrisons just a minute from the station.
Buy your train ticket back in groups of four to get a discount.
Every finisher gets a limited edition badge. Supreme heroism and audacity brings on the Double Badger.
Its less the legs and more the eating on this ride it seems. Keep eating/pack more than you think.
Sunrise approx 6.20am, Sunset approx 7.40pm. Bring decent lights.
No one will mind if other people outside of the Club join in. The more the merrier. If its a big group, we will split it.
* Only.
Take Friday 4th September off and man-up/woman-up for the end of summer Ashwell to Wells-Next-The-Sea CC Ashwell Classic ride to the Norfolk coast. In my opinion, the best* annual point-to-point Classic the Club does. There's something rewarding about cycling to the coast.
Well be starting from the Three Tuns at 8:00am to navigate the almost pan flat lanes to pretty WNTS. We will be going at all-inclusive pace. Its a great way to bookend whatever season youve had with a big club ride.
From Wells, as before, its a 20 mile tootle to Kings Lynn station for the train back after fish and chips overlooking the harbour. Id estimate getting back to Ashwell environs 7pm ish. Without puncture delays.
If 123 miles total seems a lot to you, ask those that have done it before, because the lack of climbing really makes a difference in the effort. Also, the more who come along, the bigger the draft so all aboard! Remember too, the route takes us past the nearby stations back, so if you only want to come as far as Ely or Downham Market happy days. Some have done it having only ridden 60-something miles before in one ride. A few years ago, Bob did it just fine.
Having said all that, I just need to underline that everyone is responsible for their own selves on this ride. I recommend thicker tyres, something to pick flints out of tyres. Bring cash. And we should pack at least one spare tyre for the group. In the deepest parts of Norfolk, theres not an awful lot of bike shop actionne.
The route keeps us off the busy roads, barring a tiny part of the orribl A10 where caution is required. Highlights include, Ely, Flandersesque Ten-Mile-Bank, watching the tornados taking off at RAF Marham and going through Holkham Estate to the bemusement of the National Trust punters.
Lowlights include the food stop at Narborough. A little town trapped in time like some episode of Sapphire & Steel. You will need to bring your own butties and jelly babies as theres nowt much more than a bench and bus stop there. Im happy to help out continue the tradition of the Belgian beer and Crumps sausage roll fest.
The weather might play its part. If the forecast is shocking, we will have to think about cancellation.
A few top of head thoughts;
Please check your tyres and bike condition.
If theres a puncture, please all use the time to check your tyres for flints.
Keep it super tidy on the A1198 up Arrington hill. And A10, of course.
No stopping unless we are all agreed/aware we are stopping.
Only strong and confident riders at the very back and front please.
Id avoid too many chips. They can be like lead weights. Fish and peas is best.
The Fenman pub is nice enough at Kings Lynn for a refreshment. Theres also a big Morrisons just a minute from the station.
Buy your train ticket back in groups of four to get a discount.
Every finisher gets a limited edition badge. Supreme heroism and audacity brings on the Double Badger.
Its less the legs and more the eating on this ride it seems. Keep eating/pack more than you think.
Sunrise approx 6.20am, Sunset approx 7.40pm. Bring decent lights.
No one will mind if other people outside of the Club join in. The more the merrier. If its a big group, we will split it.
* Only.
Comments
http://www.bikemap.net/en/route/1011050-ashwell-wells-next-the-sea/
Wells King's Lynn bit.
http://www.bikemap.net/en/route/1187762-wells-next-the-sea-kings-lynn/
On the tyre front, I rode Tour of the Black Country a couple of weeks ago (13 miles of proper off road, gravel, cobbles etc) on budget Vittoria Rubino's (28's) and avoided a puncture. Fit a new set of boots for Wells and be ready for winter.
Not too gutted though, as I'm off back to Mallorca for another week riding in the sun.
I'll miss the badge though!
Also note you may be clashing with the tour of the cornfields weekend. But I have not checked that recently.
Not expecting you to change the date but would be fab if it did.
It's a cracking ride and the blast through Holkham is a treat
Reckon you can't please everyone here with timing as any earlier will clash with Summer holidays.
However it looks likely that the full open version will be resurrected by a team from East London. I last organised it as an open event in 2011. They have gone for Sunday 6th September. I'm still waiting to hear if it's definitely on. Interestingly Merlin Cycles have listed it as one of the Top 10 Sportives to do in 2015.
http://www.merlincycles.com/blog/top-10-uk-and-ireland-sportives-to-do-in-2015 - sorry I failed to create the link properly.
I am happy to still run a club version of the Tour of the Cornfields, perhaps the weekend before. However I will definitely ride the official one if it comes off. Obviously both events are doable that weekend if you have the time.
The first Eastern Cyclo-Cross race of the season at Basildon is again booked for that Saturday.
Anyone capable of doing all 3?!
Happy to talk more after Tuesday's AGM at t'Tuns. And then confirm the date. But maybe Fri 25th Sept or Fri 2nd Oct would be possible alternatives. It'd be a likely a slightly tougher ride. But more of a symbolic bookend to the season being very near the Club hill climb date.
For the record, the original date predates Paris Nice trip.
Whatever the date: it'll be a fun ride. Cheers.
I would love to do this ride again and a date change to post P/N would make that possible. Cheers.
My preference would be to keep it on that date. Later in the month means clashing with the Cyclo-Cross season, meaning all us CXers won't be able to make it. Whilst the original date does clash with the Basildon event, it's not our favourite and a few of us were happy to skip it last year.
Mark.
its always impossible to find a date that suits everyone and moving the ride will be better for some, worse for others.
hopefully we can come up with some other destination rides late sept / early oct that paris-nicers will be able to join.
And let's look into a new Classic possibly around end of October instead of changing. There's a few ideas knocking about for a falling leaves big ride.
See you Tuesday eve in the Tuns - during/after Chain Gang, at the AGM/Club Night to talk more...
Martin L
Matt S
Will
Stef
Tony C
Nige
Stiggers
Jon S
Also a good way of comparing fitness pre- and post-season.
See you at the AGM on Tuesday.
Martin L
Matt S
Will
Stef
Tony C
Nige
Stiggers
Jon S
Chris B
Graham F
Allfie
Martin L
Matt S
Will
Stef
Tony C
Nige
Stiggers
Jon S
Chris B
Graham F
Allfie
Jenny
There's talk of scone action in Narborough. Interesting...
rob
Martin L
Matt S
Will S
Stef D
Tony C
Nige H
Stiggers
Jon S
Chris B
Graham F
Allfie
Jenny A
Robert B
There'll be commemorative badges for every finisher.
Reminds me: there are badges for the Tour of the Cornfields CCA Classic in August. And also for the inaugural falling leaves CCA Classic in the autumn, The Roffle.
Sadly, it looks like I'm going to miss this one now. Racing Ironman UK on Sunday & following that, I think my weekly mileage will dip alarmingly by order of the wife!
Or is it a trip to Crumps for Martin again. Look forward to seeing Matt's beer carrying
contraption this year,it was pretty nifty last year.
Matt S
Will S
Stef D
Tony C
Nige H
Jon S
Chris B
Graham F
Allfie
Jenny A
Robert B
Paul S
John riddett
Chris B 2
Jenny's folks can't help out this time. Let's raid Crumps. And House of Belgium.
Badges: I've still got loads. I brought them to last month's club night. Collector's items.